Barbie's new accessories could include a cat-pulled chariot, a dagger, and gladiator armor if a new Kickstarter campaign can pull together $15,000 to make "Roman Barbie" a reality.
Mastermind Jim Rodda has designed $25 worth of Roman Barbie accessories, which can be downloaded as a
3D-printable digital file, according to tech site Tom's Guide. Rodda said that everything on his Roman Barbie's Faire Play set was designed to fit Barbie's Fashionista doll.
According to Rodda's Kickstarter page, he has 46 backers so far and has raised $1,556 toward his $15,000 goal. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/191197566/faire-play-2-when-in-rome
"I need your help to take my operation from 'some dude in a basement' to a garage-scale production facility," Rodda wrote on his Kickstarter page. "I'll need some new hardware, software, a second 3D printer, and a bunch of less exciting stuff like workbenches, fire suppression systems, packing supplies, non-prescription sleep aids, and also the cat would like some more noms, please."
"If the Kickstarter's successful I'll be able to deliver new and fun 3D printed toys and tchotchkes (and their 3D-printable blueprints) to the world for the foreseeable future," he continued.
Rodda goes into the detail about his mock-ups in creating the cat chariots and designs for the Barbie's accessories. He added that he will offer small, 3D printed lithopanes for those backers spending $35 or more to the Faire Play project.
"These little prints are magical when they catch the sunlight and transform from an opaque plastic square to a glowing photographic image," Rodda wrote on his Kickstarter page. "I'll customize one for you at the $35 backing level. Send me a favorite photo and you'll receive a 3D printed version of it to hang in a window. Just about any photo will work."
Rodda may want to think about Roman cat chariot dolls for "Frozen" characters Elsa and
Anna as well, according to Fortune magazine back in November.
"Sales of 'Frozen' toys, games, shirts, and more could hit $1 billion in the United States alone this year, observers estimate — a staggering sum for gear tied to film was released just a year ago," Fortune reported. "Industry experts say 'Frozen,' a film that focuses on the relationship of two sisters, is one of the hottest toy properties that industry has seen in at least a decade."